Nikolai Valuev Lashes Out at Both Klitschko Brothers

WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev says the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, are not willing to take any risks in the ring. He says both brothers have avoided him and he doesn't see a fight taking place any time soon. Valuev faces David Haye on November 7 in Germany. Haye was scheduled to fight Vitali Klitschko on September 12 but withdrew before the contract was signed and made a backdoor deal for a shot at Valuev.

“I have a feeling that my bout with one of the Klitschko brothers will take place only if I lose one of my legs or something. In a word, during telephone conversations they are ready to fight, but it’s different in practice,” Valuev said to Russian outlet Smena.

“If my career to some extent depends on my promoters, Wilfried Sauerland and Don King, the Klitschkos have a thousand times repeated that they themselves are the masters of their fate. They own the K2 promotion company, which organizes all their fights. The brothers are good businessmen; they carefully plan their each and every move, and they don’t want to take unjustified risks."

valuev doesn't see one Klitschko being tougher than the other. He did admit that he roots for the Klitschkos when they step in the ring. He doesn't hold a grudge but he doesn't view them as fighters who are willing to take on all comers.

“It is clear that commercial interests prevail when the Klitschkos choose their opponents,” Valuev said. “Who between them is stronger? Each has his pluses and minuses, so both boxers Wladimir and Vitali are approximately equal. Don’t get me wrong. I have a normal attitude towards Vitali and Wladimir, furthermore – in all their previous fights I wanted victory for the Brothers and not for their competitors."